Maple Leafs Quick Hits: Wild Cards Raddysh, Paul & Akhtyamov

One of the things that makes this Toronto Maple Leafs season interesting is how many players could end up being more important than expected. Obviously, Toronto will still need Auston Matthews, John Tavares, and William Nylander to drive the offence. That's not changing. But every team needs players who can step up when injuries hit, a line isn't working, or somebody simply isn't playing well.

That's where some of the newer names become interesting. Darren Raddysh, Nick Paul, and young Marlies Artur Akhtyamov aren't likely to be the players everyone is talking about when training camp opens. But each could have a role that grows more important as the season progresses.

Quick Hit One: Darren Raddysh: The Power Play Wild Card.

Raddysh is probably the one player fans are most anxious to see because of the hype surrounding his signing. We saw what he could do last season. But was that a one-off? He'll get a lot of the same opportunities he had in Tampa Bay last season, and that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Toronto doesn't need him to suddenly become a star. It needs him to be a reliable player who can move the puck up ice and get shots through to the goalie with the man advantage.

If he can help revive the Maple Leafs' struggling power play, he'll have done exactly what he was signed to do. Who knows what he brings, but there could be a big upside.

Related: The Darren Raddysh Debate Misses What the Maple Leafs Need

Quick Hit Two: Nick Paul: The Depth Wild Card.

Paul is another player who could end up moving around the lineup. That's not always a glamorous role, but every team needs somebody who can do it. If the Maple Leafs need more size, defensive responsibility or a little more physicality, Paul can move up. If everything is going well, he can settle into a lower-line role.

The important thing is that Toronto doesn't have to force him into one particular job. Sometimes the most useful player is the one who can fill several different roles without making a fuss.

Quick Hit Three: Artur Akhtyamov: The Goalie Wild Card.

This is the one that really interests me. Akhtyamov's three NHL games weren't anything to write home about, but his AHL season was much more encouraging. He went 18-10-4 with a 2.86 goals-against average and .904 save percentage, then raised his game considerably in the playoffs.

And there could be an opportunity here. Anthony Stolarz has had his health issues, while Sergei Bobrovsky is getting older. Nobody knows how either situation will play out over a full season. If Toronto needs another goalie, Akhtyamov could get that chance.

Why It Matters for the Maple Leafs.

None of these players need to become stars for this to matter. That's the point. Toronto needs its big names to produce, but it also needs players who can step into bigger roles when the inevitable problems arrive.

Raddysh provides defensive depth. Paul gives the Maple Leafs lineup flexibility. Akhtyamov could become an important insurance policy in goal. If even one of them takes a bigger step than expected, that's another problem Toronto won't have to solve from outside the organization.

Related: The Maple Leafs May Have More Options Than They Think